How Do Toxic Metals Cause Disease?

Posted on 10.27.16

Mitochondria, Free Radicals and Degenerative Disease

Toxic metals have a powerful affinity for sulfur with which they form highly stable complexes. Thus, these toxic metals bond to sulfhydryl groups on enzymes and sulfur containing metabolic intermediates and cofactors, affecting every major metabolic pathway. These metals are highly toxic to mitochondria… the energy producing organelles of the cells, causing mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in inhibition of ATP synthesis, free radical production, inflammatory cytokine release, tissue damage and premature aging. In fact, 85%-90% of free radicals are formed in the mitochondria.
In the decades since D. Harmin originally proposed the free radical theory of aging, numerous studies have demonstrated the presence of free radicals and oxidative stress in a host of degenerative diseases.

HOW CHEMICAL AND METAL TOXINS HAVE A PROFOUND ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE ENTIRE FUNCTIONING OF THE BODY.

It is crucial to realize that toxic metals and chemicals cause mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are the tiny organelles in each of your body cells that produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate. When these toxins poison the mitochondria, impairing the production of ATP ; mitochondria begin to produce enormous quantities of free radicals. These are highly reactive molecules that steal electrons from whatever they encounter in the body. This causes inflammation, malfunction, damage and premature aging. Lacking ATP to fuel the functions of our vital organs including brain, liver, kidney, intestinal tract, thyroid and adrenal glands as well as other tissues including immune cells, cartilage and connective tissues results in

persistent fatigue

impaired sleep

brain fog

loss of vitality

immune dysfunction

The latter leads to chronic viral, fungal and bacterial infections such as Lyme Disease. Impaired immune function may also manifest as multiple allergies and chemical sensitivities leading to increased inflammation.

How are we exposed to these toxic metals?

Since the advent of the industrial revolution levels of toxic metals in the environment have risen over one thousand fold. Activities such as mining, electric power generation, manufacturing, cremation, and domestic and industrial waste disposal, have polluted the air water and food supply. Added to this are vehicle emissions, medical and dental procedures such as vaccines and amalgam fillings (50% mercury) and personal care products.

Uranium as a Cause of Lung cancer

More recently a new threat from toxic metals in the form of depleted uranium (DU) has become a matter of concern. Within a few days of Gulf War II a huge increase in air-borne uranium was detected in NYC and in the UK. A number of articles have noted that explosion of munitions containing DU creates a fine dust. This dust is carried by wind into the atmosphere from where it is dispersed over the entire northern hemisphere (and possibly the southern hemisphere as well). Within 3 years we began seeing the consequences. In an article dated April 6, 2006, James Howenstine, M.D. reported that the incidence of lung cancer in the US has risen from 175,000 new cases in 2005 to 172,000 cases in the first two months of 2006 a six fold increase. In Iraq the incidence of all types of cancer has increased dramatically including cancer in children, which previously was rare.